Honest, practical and, most importantly, kind, Barnett's survival manual for maternity service is one all expectant and new mothers will find helpful.

We need more acknowledgement that motherhood/parenthood isn't always all it's cracked up to be whilst without a doubt being worth it. Barnett recognises that she is privileged not to have suffered from postnatal depression but highlights that we should be more open about the reality of parenting a baby, especially when in our modern society very few have the privilege to do this as a couple with fully shared responsibility.

I laughed, cried and raged whilst reading this. It was a breath of fresh air.

Maternity Service by Emma Barnett is an honest, insightful, and much-needed companion for any mother navigating the complex reality of maternity leave. Rather than offering the usual advice on sleep schedules or feeding routines, Barnett provides a refreshing and relatable exploration of what maternity leave entails—the emotional, physical, and mental shifts that come with becoming a mother.

Barnett argues that the term maternity leave is misleading. Far from being a restful break, it is an all-consuming period of adjustment, upheaval, and relentless responsibility. Drawing from her own experiences, she captures the highs and lows of this time with warmth and humour, challenging the rose-tinted narratives that often surround early motherhood. She highlights the pressure placed on new mothers to “treasure every moment” while grappling with exhaustion, identity shifts, and the loss of autonomy.

Written in real time during her second maternity leave, this book acknowledges the unseen labour of caring for a newborn and the impact it has on women’s sense of self, their careers, and their relationships. It is not a parenting manual but a survival guide—one that validates the experience of new mothers and reassures them that they are not alone.

With honesty, practicality, and kindness, Maternity Service sheds light on the reality of early motherhood in a way that is both comforting and empowering. It is a must-read for expectant and new mothers, as well as anyone seeking to understand the challenges and triumphs of maternity leave beyond the clichés.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.